5a^2-20a-160=0

Solution for 5a^2-20a-160=0 equation:

Simplifying
5a2 + -20a + -160 = 0

Reorder the terms:
-160 + -20a + 5a2 = 0

Solving
-160 + -20a + 5a2 = 0

Solving for variable 'a'.

Factor out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), '5'.
5(-32 + -4a + a2) = 0

Factor a trinomial.
5((-4 + -1a)(8 + -1a)) = 0

Ignore the factor 5.
Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-4 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-4 + -1a = 0

Solving
-4 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '4' to each side of the equation.
-4 + 4 + -1a = 0 + 4

Combine like terms: -4 + 4 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + 4
-1a = 0 + 4

Combine like terms: 0 + 4 = 4
-1a = 4

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = -4

Simplifying
a = -4
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(8 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
8 + -1a = 0

Solving
8 + -1a = 0

Move all terms containing a to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-8' to each side of the equation.
8 + -8 + -1a = 0 + -8

Combine like terms: 8 + -8 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + -8
-1a = 0 + -8

Combine like terms: 0 + -8 = -8
-1a = -8

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = 8

Simplifying
a = 8
Solution
a = {-4, 8}